Roger William Whitley, age 85, passed away peacefully at his home on October 16, 2025, at 6:00 PM.

He is survived by his wife of seven years, Nina Whitley, and his three daughters and their families: Tracy Rayne and her husband, John, along with their children Grayson and Carley, and Carley's husband, Caleb; Tammie Keplinger and her husband, Kent, and their children Logan and Cole; and Tonya Beam, her husband, Drew, and their children Miles and Whit.

He was preceded in death by his father, Walter Lee Whitley; mother, Lola Jeanette Whitley; two brothers, Kenneth Whitley and James Whitley; and his wives, Rebecca Whitley and Donna Whitley.

Roger attended Ferrum College and Mars Hill College, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree. He was called to a lifelong career in law enforcement. He served as a police officer with the Greensboro Police Department for four years before becoming a probation and parole officer with the North Carolina Department of Justice, working in both the court system and correctional facilities across the state for 13 years.


He later accepted the position of Director of the Criminal Justice Academy at Gaston College in Dallas, NC. Over 27 years, he trained and graduated nearly 2,500 law enforcement officers before retiring.

In high school and college, Roger was an All-Star football player, earning All-American honors and induction into the Hall of Fame at both Ferrum College and Mars Hill College.

He loved spending time with his friends, grandchildren, and family. He especially enjoyed fishing, boating, and being outdoors--places where he found peace and joy.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, October 25, 2025, at 11:00 AM at Pisgah ARP Presbyterian Church, 3600 South Linwood Road, Gastonia. The family will receive friends immediately following the service.


Burial will be held in a private ceremony.


In lieu of flowers, donations in Roger's honor may be made to Pisgah ARP Presbyterian Church at the address above.

Online condolences may be made at www.cecilmburtonfuneralhome.com

Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home is honored to service the family.